UK Opposition launches 'Labour Indians' to connect with India, diaspora
The UK’s Labour Party has launched a new diaspora organization, Labour Indians, aimed at enhancing its outreach to British Indians and fostering stronger ties with India ahead of upcoming general elections in both countries.
The initiative seeks to bolster engagement with the UK’s 1.8-million-strong Indian diaspora community. The inaugural event, hosted at London’s Houses of Parliament complex and led by David Lammy, the party’s shadow foreign secretary, served as a platform to share insights from Lammy’s recent visit to India and outline Labour’s aspirations for the India-UK partnership in the event of electoral success.
Emphasizing India’s status as a “superpower,” Lammy underscored the imperative of nurturing a robust UK-India relationship, transcending political differences. He affirmed Labour’s commitment to concluding a free trade agreement (FTA) with India, initiated during the Conservative government’s tenure in January 2022, with negotiations now approaching a crucial phase due to impending elections.
Acknowledging historical challenges, particularly regarding anti-India rhetoric during Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, Lammy expressed optimism for Labour’s trajectory under Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Labour Indians, chaired by Krish Raval and supported by vice-chairs Councillor Shama Tatler and prospective parliamentary candidate Kanishka Narayan, aims to bridge the gap between the party and British-Indian communities. Tatler highlighted the organization’s efforts to address concerns that led some Indian households to distance themselves from Labour, emphasizing the need for deeper engagement with communities disillusioned by the Conservatives.
Nikita Ved, co-founder of the British Indian think tank 1928 Institute and associated with Labour Indians, emphasized the organization’s adaptability and commitment to meeting the evolving needs of progressive British-Indians.
The establishment of Labour Indians follows the appointment of a dedicated India Engagement Organiser by the Labour Party, signaling a concerted effort to engage with the Indian diaspora in anticipation of forthcoming general elections.
